I have an opportunity to purchase a Delta/Rockwell 14" bandsaw that was
made in the early 1980's for $375. It has a new poly tire on it, and
looks, to my untrained eye, to be in good shape. The retailer has an
excellent reputation in town as well.
It's a one-owner saw, and was sold to the original purchaser by the
same retailer offering it now some 20 years later.
It is an open-stand model, and it has the original 3/4 hp Baldor motor
on it. Yes, that's right...it's the original motor. The retailer in
question used to buy them from Delta without the 1/2 hp Marathon, then
install 3/4 hp Baldors instead.
I remember reading somewhere that Rockwell equipment started to go
downhill sometime in the 1980's, though. Maybe a fiction of my
imagination.
Can anyone talk to the (potential) quality of this saw? Were they
still good models back then?
Thanks in advance.
On 11 Feb 2006 10:35:35 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>I have an opportunity to purchase a Delta/Rockwell 14" bandsaw that was
>made in the early 1980's for $375. It has a new poly tire on it, and
>looks, to my untrained eye, to be in good shape. The retailer has an
>excellent reputation in town as well.
>
>It's a one-owner saw, and was sold to the original purchaser by the
>same retailer offering it now some 20 years later.
>
>It is an open-stand model, and it has the original 3/4 hp Baldor motor
>on it. Yes, that's right...it's the original motor. The retailer in
>question used to buy them from Delta without the 1/2 hp Marathon, then
>install 3/4 hp Baldors instead.
>
>I remember reading somewhere that Rockwell equipment started to go
>downhill sometime in the 1980's, though. Maybe a fiction of my
>imagination.
>
>Can anyone talk to the (potential) quality of this saw? Were they
>still good models back then?
>
>Thanks in advance.
The line hit a little bump or was somewhat neglected just prior to
the time that Delta was sold to Pentair by Rockwell. This was in
1984. But the machines were still good during that time frame.
If it has new tires (the old natural rubber tires were subject to
osmositic cracking and variable durometer), and it tracks well, and
the wheels are coplaner, and it runs without vibration, and the guide
post goes up and down, locks and does not lose its relationship to the
blade, and the table split is not mismatched badly as it approaches
the insert, and the table trunions lock appropriately, it is a good
machine. The base and overarm castings are the same as those of the
U. S. version today, and a little heavier than the far eastern
imports.
Of course the domestic versions today are up to 1.5 hp. But 3/4 was
the top motor for years and tens of thousands were build with 3/4 hp.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have an opportunity to purchase a Delta/Rockwell 14" bandsaw that was
> made in the early 1980's for $375. It has a new poly tire on it, and
> looks, to my untrained eye, to be in good shape. The retailer has an
> excellent reputation in town as well.
>
> I remember reading somewhere that Rockwell equipment started to go
> downhill sometime in the 1980's, though. Maybe a fiction of my
> imagination.
As far as it may have sunk in the imagination of some, it's still the same
machine that was produced here until a few years ago. Price is up there,
but just compare it to one of the new JET, Ridgid or clones, and you'll
take it if it behaves in a normal fashion under test.
Before discussing age and price you must first determine whether the saw
is adequate for your current and future needs. What type of cutting
and/or resawing to you plan to do with it? Then you need to know
something about what the previous owner did with it so as to rule out
abuse of the tool.
Otherwise it should be a solid machine and motor. I presume that the
store you're buying it from has looked it over and perhaps reconditioned
it for you in some way? That might justify the price.
J.
[email protected] wrote:
> I have an opportunity to purchase a Delta/Rockwell 14" bandsaw that was
> made in the early 1980's for $375. It has a new poly tire on it, and
> looks, to my untrained eye, to be in good shape. The retailer has an
> excellent reputation in town as well.
>
> It's a one-owner saw, and was sold to the original purchaser by the
> same retailer offering it now some 20 years later.
>
> It is an open-stand model, and it has the original 3/4 hp Baldor motor
> on it. Yes, that's right...it's the original motor. The retailer in
> question used to buy them from Delta without the 1/2 hp Marathon, then
> install 3/4 hp Baldors instead.
>
> I remember reading somewhere that Rockwell equipment started to go
> downhill sometime in the 1980's, though. Maybe a fiction of my
> imagination.
>
> Can anyone talk to the (potential) quality of this saw? Were they
> still good models back then?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>